Biafran pound | |
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£1 banknote 1968
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Denominations | |
Subunit | |
1/20 | shilling |
1/240 | penny |
Plural | |
penny | pence |
Symbol | £ |
shilling | s |
penny | d |
Banknotes | 5/-, 10/-, £1, £5, £10 |
Coins | 3d, 6d, 1/-, 2/6 |
Demographics | |
User(s) | Biafra |
Issuance | |
Central bank | Bank of Biafra |
The Biafran pound was the currency of the breakaway Republic of Biafra between 1968 and 1970.
The first notes denominated in 5 shillings and £1 were introduced on January 29, 1968. A series of coins was issued in 1969; 3 pence, 6 pence, 1 shilling and 2½ shilling coins were minted, all made of aluminium. In February 1969, a second family of notes was issued consisting of 5 shilling, 10 shilling, £1, £5 and £10 denominations. Despite not being recognised as currency by the rest of the world when they were issued, the banknotes were afterwards sold as curios (typically at 2/6 (=.0125 GBP) for 1 pound notes in London philately/notaphily shops) and are now traded among banknote collectors at well above their original nominal value.
The most common note is the 1968 1 pound, with the 10 pound and all coins being rare.